Staff Spotlight: Mary Jenkins

MDWFP’s Mississippi Museum of Natural Science

STAFF SPOTLIGHT: Mary Jenkins

Special Projects Officer

Mary is an integral part of the museum’s administrative team.

Get to know her in the interview below.

WHAT’S YOUR WORKDAY LIKE?

A typical day for me includes assisting the museum’s Director and managing administrative work such as accounts receivable, ordering supplies, and answering questions from the museum’s management team and staff as well as from the general public.

I also coordinate rental of the museum for meetings.

ANY FUNNY WORK STORIES?

I really enjoy when we get together to plan special exhibit openings and events.

It’s fun to put on a feather boa or take silly pictures and brainstorm ideas together – it gets our creativity flowing and helps us plan memorable activities for our visitors.

WOULD YOU SHARE A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND?

I grew up in Clinton, Mississippi and enjoyed horses and the outdoors.

Before working for the museum, I worked in Job Development and Training, but I didn’t hesitate when the opportunity to work at the museum presented itself.

In addition to working for the State for the past 27 years, I’ve grown a beautiful family that means the world to me.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS CAREER?

I began working with the museum because of my love for science.

I’m so happy to be a part of this museum team and to know that the work I do helps Mississippi’s students, teachers, and families.

HOW DOES YOUR JOB CONTRIBUTE TO CONSERVATION?

The administrative tasks and functions that I manage help support the museum’s overall conservation mission by ensuring that funds and materials are available for our educators and researchers to complete their projects.

ANY ADVICE FOR A STUDENT INTERESTED IN A BIOLOGY OR MUSEUM CAREER?

I think that volunteering in a museum is an essential first step.

The work we do here is so varied – everything from ordering supplies and gift shop management to feeding the fish and working out in the field on research projects.

Ask the volunteer coordinator to assign you to various tasks and departments so you can get a good feel for the type of work that interests you most.